Dynamo-electric starting, lighting, and ignition mechanism for automobiles.



J. 'A. HEANY. V DYNAMO ELECTRIC STARTING, LIGHTING, AND IGNITION MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FIIILED AUG. 1. 1910.

Patented Dec. 17, 1918.

v2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

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WITNESSES L6 f ATTORNEY J. A HEANY. DYNAMO ELECTRIC STARTING, LIGHL'NG, AND xswmow MECHANISM FORAUTOMOBILES. APPLICATION FILED AUG-1.1910.

1,287,989. Patented Dec. 17, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- UVVE/VTOR Jab? AJ/en Heamy WITNESSES EAL ATTORNEY "l Lilia ALZEEF EEAIVI, F FLINT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNGE 10 LINDSAY AU'ftl PMQTS CULIZQAIN'Z, @F HG'DIANAPQLIS, IKDMHA, A. CGRTPORATIO'N 035 INDIANA.

LZGHTZNG, M IGEQETEUET EEGHAETISE 3GB AUTG- IIZOBILES. l

, nest sea specification oi Letters Patent.

Patented Dee. 1W,

Anplication filed Angnstl, 1910. Serial eve-Jae.

To all whom it mag goacem: g V

Be it lfllOWll that l, JOHN ALLEN idlEANY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Flint, in the county of Genesee and State use the same.

The invention relates to a device for furnishing a suitable means for translating electrical energy for starting an engine and a further electrical means for furnishing electrical energy for the starting mechanism and the lighting and ignition system to be used in con unction with an automobile,

The object or the invention isto provide a starting element which may be readily actuated by the operaton vvhich starting element Will give the initial movement to the engine and will not be affected by the speed thereof, and a generating element interconnected'therewith to be operated by the engins after it is started, said generating element to furnish electrical. energy of a substantially constant pressure for ignition and lighting purposes, as well as a maintenance of the supplytor the starting element.

The objects of the invention are secured by utilizing a dynamo electric machineor motor geared or otherwise connected with the shaft of an internal combustion engine and a differentially Wound electric generator driven from the shalt of the internal cornbustion engine in conjunction with a storage battery and suitable controlling devices,

Referring to the'drawingszj Figure l illustratesthe arrangement applied to the engine of an automobile, the

storage'battery not being shown.

Fig.2 is a diagrammatic view, the var ous parts comprising the system illustrating the interconnection between the 7 various elernents.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the diii'erentially Wound generator.

Big. l illustrates a slightly modified form of the device wherein the starting element and generating element are mounted in tandem.

Fig, illustrates a form of clutch which may be used in the connections of the starting element and generating element.

To provide a suitable starting and generating device in connection with an internal. combustion en 'ine of variable speed, it is apparent that some difiiculty is experienced in securing a dynamo electric machine of a convenient size which will have suficient power in conjunction with a storage hattery of small size to actuate the engine shaft and give the engine its initial movement. It is also apparent that with such a dynamo electric machine when used as a generator and driven from the engine shaft that there will be fluctuations in the electro-motive "force. In fact, the electro-motive force in ordinary generators used for this class of Work increases nearly indirect propdrtion with the speed. The result is that at low speeds, the electro-motive force of a generator is less than that of the battery and the latter discharges through the armature. When run at high speeds, the electro motive fforce'oi the generator rises to such an ex; tent as to cause a heavy flow of current through the storage battery and other devices over-charging it and breaking down its plates. Heretoiore, to eliminate these discharges, various forms of friction clutches, mechanical and electric cut-outs have been arranged in conjunction with the dynamo electric machine 7, for maintaining constant current conditions.

In the devices hereinafter described, it is proposed to utilize a generator which will give such a substantially constant electromotive force throughoutthe various speeds induced by the engine directly geared thereto, that the battery, ignition apparatus, lamps or any other current translating devices includedin the system will not be subjected to to be always less than the latter. In other a words, the generator is difierentially wound and as the speed increases and the electromotive force increases, there will be an increase in the current passed through the arincreasethe electro-motive force producesa,

decrease in field strength and thus equalizes and maintains a substantially constant electro-motive force.

The best conditions in this type of regulation are obtained by making the shunt excitation equal to or less than the value of the bregk in the magnetization curve of the field core material. By doing this the resultant excitation ranging from lower values to this ad a maximum will produce a field strength which is directly proportional to the excitation as between these values the magnetization curve is practically a straight line. Therefore, by selecting the proper proportional values of the shunt and series windings, the enerator may be designed to maintain a su stantially constant electro-motive force.

This present application is limited to a system embodying a combination of elements for the production of electrical energy from mechanical means and the use of such electrical energy for starting an internal comframe 2, and provided with cylinders 3, 4, 5,

and 6, which receive their fuel supply in any well-known manner as through the manifold 7, and carbureter 8, the fuel being supplied from the main tank 9, through a connecting tube 10. 4

The engine shaft 11, is shown as projecting forward and terminating in a startingcrank 12, which, of course, may be used for initially starting the engine to charge the battery hereinafter defined. I

Upon the shaft of the engine is a gear 13, meshing with an intermediate gear 14, which in turn is in mesh with the dynamo gear 15, these gears being so arranged as to drive the dynamo 16, as the engine shaft is rotated.

On the rear face of the gear 14, is shown a worm-gear 17, in mesh with a worm 18, upon the motor-shaft 19, which is connected to the motor 20, through a clutch device 21.

, B denotes a storage battery which,

menses through arswitch 22, connects said battery A load circuit shown herein as the lighting circuit as indicated at 26, is controlled by a switch 27.

A movement of the switch 25, to the con-' tact point 28, connects the generating cir-, cuit 29, of the generator 16, with the storage battery whenever the switch 22, is closed.

A movement of the switch 25, to the contact member 30, connects the circuit 31, of the motor 20, with the storage battery whenever the switch 22, is in closed position.

Any desired form of ignition may be employed as, for instance, the induction coil,

high tension or low tension types in common use. A diagrammatic showing of the ignition system is illustrated in Fig. 2, where the make and break-D, is connected in the circuit'23, to the coil 0, and thence to a distributer E, the stationary contacts of which are connected to the insulated terminals of the spark plugs of the engine cylinders through circuit wires 32, 33, 34, 35.

It is preferred to use a series-wound motor 20, in order to give the greater starting torque and as it is geared to the crank shaft through the worm 18, worm-gear 17, and gears 14, 13, it will readily give the initial movement to said shaft for securing the compression and firing of the cylinders to start the engine. When the motor 20, is thus driving, the clutch device 21, illustrated more in detail in Fig. 5, will connect the motor shaft for positively driving the train of gears.

As soon as the engine has been started and runs beyond the speed of the motor 20, the clutch device will slip and the motion of the engine shaft will not be transmitted to the shaft of the motor 20.

In Fig. 4, there is illustrated a slightly modified form of the device in which the generator 40, has its shaft 41, arranged in continuation of the shaft 42, of the motor 43, with a clutch device 44, interposed in the connections. Gears 45,, 46, and 47, connect the generator shaft with the engine shaft 48. In this modification which. forms the subject matter of my divisional applications Serial No. 200,093 and Serial No. 200,095, filed November 3, 1917, the motor 43, turns the gears for starting the engine,'the clutch 44, being operative to connect the engine shaft 42, and the generator shaft 41. As soon as the engine has attained a considerable. speed the clutch 44, will disconnect the engine shaft 42, and the generator shaft will then be run at a comparatively high speed, while memes closed, connecting the line 24, andthe ignition line 23. Thereupon, the switch 25, is first thrown to connect the terminal 30, and motor-line 31. -As soon as the engine has started the switch 25, is moved from contact 30, thereby electrically denergizing or disabling the motor, to the contact 28, and connects the generator 16, with the storage battery circuit so that said battery is recharged by the generator 18.

By arranging suitable electrical connections and switches, the generator may, at the starting operation, be used as a motor in conjunction with the motor 20, a system em bodying such operation forming the subject matter of my divisional application Serial hlo.s 200,092, filed November 3, 191?. The switch devices might be automatically conv trolled from the motor and generatoshafts so that the switching of the battery ,'circuit from the motor to the generating circuit could be accomplished automatically. Such automatic control forms the subject matter of my divisional application Serial No. 262,702, filed November 15, 191.

Applicant reserves the right to claim any inventions disclosed in the present application but not claimed herein, in separate applications. Y

@bviously. the details of connections intermediate the dynamo, the motor the engine shaft as well as those of the controlling switches or devices may be varied to suit the exigencies of any particular case, it'being most desirable to provide connections which will give a proper ratio for starting the engine from the motor and a suitable ratio between the engine and the dynamo shaft with manually operated or automatically operated switching devices for giving the proper circuit connections between said devices and the source of power.

The particular embodiment of my invention herein disclosed is, of course, susceptible to considerable variation without departing from the spirit thereof. and it is to be understood that many changes might bemade by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What 1 declare as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a variable speed tions from the motor and the generator to the shaft of the engine. and means for disconnecting the engine from the motor when the engine operates under lts own power.

2. The combination with a variable speed engine, of an electric starting and generating plant therefor, comprising a storage battery, a difi'erentially wound generator adapted to give a substantially constant voltage when connected tnereto, a motor independent of the generator, circuits and switches for connecting the battery to the generator or to the motor independently, gearing coiniecting the generator to the engine, relatively low speed gearing connecting the motor to the engine, and automatic means disconnecting the motor from the engine when the latter operates under its own power.

3. The combination with'a variable speed engine, an electric starting and generattnerei or, comprising a generator, a storage battery connected thereto, a motor indeper of the generator, circuits and iereby the generator may be connected battery independently of the motor, ctions from the motor and the generator to the shaft of the engine. and

means disconnecting the engine from the motor when the engine operates under its own power. Y

The CO IlOlHRilOZI with a variable speed engine, of an electric starting and gener- V f ere'for, comprising a generator, a battery, a starting motor independc the generator, circuits and switches rcr connecting the battery to the generator to the motor independently,

connecting the generator to the enly low' speed gearing connecting motor to the engine, and automatic means for disconnecting the motor from the engine when the latter operates under its own power.

5. The combination with a variable speed engine, of an electric starting and generating plant therefor, comprising a generator, a storage battery connected thereto, a starting motor independent of the generator, circuits and switch connections between the motor, generator and batter connections from the motor and the generator to the shaft or" the engine, and means for disconnecting the engine from the motor when the engine operates under its own power.

6. The combination with a variable speed engine, of an electric starting and generating' plant therefor, comprising a generator, a storage battery connected thereto, a starting motor independent of the generator, circuits and switch connections between the motor, generator and battery, connections from the motor and the generator to the shaft of the engine, and means for disabling the motor when the engine operates under its own power.

7. The combination with a variable speed engine. of an electric starting and generating plant therefor, comprising a generameans for disabling the motor when the en relatively low speed gearing connecting the motor to the engine, part of said gearings being common to both the generator and the motor, and means for disconnecting the motor from the engine when the engine oper ates under its own ower.

15. The combination with a variable speed engine, of an electric starting and generating plant therefoi', comprising-a generator, a storage battery connected thereto, a starting motor independent of the generator, circuits and switch connections between the motor, generator and battery, connections from the motor and the generator to the shaft of the engine, and means for disconnecting the engine from the motor when the engine operates under its own power, the generator being constantly connected to the engine. v

16. An electric starting and generating system adapted for connection with an in ternal combustion engine and comprising incombination a generator, a storage battery connected thereto, a starting motor independent of the generator, circuits and switch connections between 'the motor, generator and battery, connections from the motor and the generator to the shaft of the engine, and.

gine operates under its own power, the generator being constantly connected to the engine.

17. The combination with a variable internal combustion engine, of an electric;

starting and generating system therefor comprising a load circuit including a storageshaft of the engine, and means for discon-' necting the engine'from the motor when the engine operates under its own power.

18; The combination with a variable speed internal combustion engine, of an electric starting and generating system therefor com rising a load circuit including a stor-' age attery and ignition system, a generator having a rotor the speed of which varies,

with the speed of the engine, and means for automatically maintaining an approxi' mately constant voltage in said load circuit independently of the speed changes of the rotor when said generator is delivering current thereto, a startingmotor independent 7 of the generator, circuits and switches whereby the generator may be connected to the battery mdependently of the starting motor, connections from the motor and the generator to the shaft of the e '11s, and

means for disconnecting the engine from the motor when the engine operates under its own power.

19. The combination with a variable speed engine, of an electric starting andgenerating plant therefor, comprising a generator, a storage battery connected thereto, a motor independent of the generator, circuits and switches whereby the generator may be connected to the battery independently of the motor, connections from the motor and generator to the shaft of the engine, and means including an over-running clutch for disconnecting the engine from the motor when the engine operates under its own power.

T20.,In an appliance of the character dey of an internal combustion engine, an electric generator, a rotor shaft forsaid generator,

- transmission means permanently connecting scribed, in combination with a crank shaft V cluding a clutch mechanism designed togestablisha driving relation between the motor and transmission means to start the engine and-disconnect said driving relation upon the engine operating under its own power. 21'. In combination with a-crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, an electrical generator, a rotor shaft for said generator, transmission means permanently connecting said rotor shaft with the crank shaft of the internal combustion engine and including a secondary shaft and a train of gears between the secondary shaft and the crank shaft of the engine, a motor and means including a clutch mechanism intermediate the motor and secondary shaft designed to. transmit torque in a direction only from the motor through the secondary shaft and train of gears to the engine crank shaft to start the engine.

22. In combination with a crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, an electric generator, a rotor shaft'for said generator,

its own power.

transmission means including a train. of gears intermediate the rotor shaft and engine shaft for permanently connecting the rotor shaft with the engine shaft, a motor, a second train of gears driven by the motor adapted to actuate the first mentioned train of gears, a clutch mechanism forming a part of the second gear train designed to establish a driving relation between the motor and engine crank shaft to start the engine through both the trains of gearing and to disestablish said driving relation when the engine operates under its own power.

23. In combination with an internal'combustion engine, an electric generator, permanent driving connections between the engine and generator, a motor independent of the generator, driving connections between the motor and an element of said permanent driving connections adapted to transmit torque in a direction only from the motor to the engine to start the engine whereby the said motor driving connections are disconnected when the engine operates under 24. In combination with an internal combustion engine, an electricgenerator, driving connections including a gear train between the engine and generator, a motor independent of the generator, driving connections between the motor and an element of said first named driving connections adapted to transmit torque in a direction only from the motor to the engine, whereby said motor driving connections are disconnected when-the engine operates under its own power, the connections between the motor and engine having a higher torque ratio than the connections between the engine and generator.

.25. The combination with-the crank shaft of an internal combustion engine of an electric generator, a rotor shaft for said generator, transmission means forming a driving connection between said rotor shaft and said engine shaft, a motor, driving connections between said motor and an element of said transmission means including a train of gearing and a clutch adapted to establish a driving relation between the motor and engine crank shaft to start 'the engine and to disestablish said driving relation when the engine operates under its own power.

26. The combination with a crank shaft of an internal combustion engine of an electric generator, transmission means between said generator and said engine crank shaft, a motor, and drivingv connections between said motor and an element of'said transmission means, said driving connections including a clutch adapted to transmit torque only in the direction from the motor to the engine.

27. The combination with an internal combustion engine, of an electric generator, transmission means between said engine and said generator, a motor and torque multiplying driving connections between said motor and an element of said transmission means adapted to transmit torque only in the direction from the motor to the engine.

' JOHN ALLEN HEANY.

Witnesses:

WM. B. HILL, KATE BRENNER. 

